Article content“We’ll ask them questions in a way that aims to tell the story of the last 150 years here of the club,” she said. “They’re not necessarily going to get all the answers right, but, in having the conversations, we’ll be telling the story without someone standing up and giving a long speech. Article content“It’s a way to recognize some of those folks and tell the history at the same time.” Article contentMacAulay said some notable firsts for the club, and the people involved in those, will be recognized, and that displays of old pictures, equipment, and even some of the clothing will be on hand. Article content“We really just want to make it a fun evening where, we hope, some people will come out who haven’t seen each other for a while,” she said. Article content Pictures of the club’s first five presidents. Photo by Contributed /Apple Photos Clean UpArticle contentArticle contentOTHER ANNIVERSARY EVENTS Article contentThe Nov. 21 event is seen as a kick-off to a season of 150th anniversary celebrations. Another special event is planned for Jan. 31, which is this year’s Curling Day in Canada date. Article contentArticle content“Weather permitting, and various other things all aligning, the plan is to have curling on the outdoor rink (Civic Square skating oval),” MacAulay said, adding one of the things still to be ironed out is whether it would be a morning or early afternoon event. Article content“Members of the public can drop by and watch, and then, following it, we would have our open house here at the club. We always have an open house, and we’ve chosen to have it that day. Article content“The idea would be to bring new people into the club while also continuing to celebrate our 150th anniversary, at that time.” Article contentShe said a fun bonspiel for club members, connected to the anniversary, is also being considered. Article content A picture of people who came together 50 years ago during a celebration for the curling club’s 100th anniversary. Photo by ContributedArticle contentArticle contentPERSERVING ITEMS Article contentAnother project the club is taking on for its special season is going through some of the precious materials that have been collected over the years and stored in the club’s basement. MacAulay explained that historical items will be safely transferred to the nearby Colchester Historeum for better preservation, and that delving into the material and transfer will also provide an opportunity to use the items to create a record of the club’s history, different activities and developments, which will be put together in a hard-copy or digital form and put on sale. Article contentArticle content“That is what we want to do and make it a fun read,” she said, a theme that is carried through with all anniversary events. Article contentThis year, very soon, actually, will also see the club transfer to a new ice plant. A lot of the work has already been done, and MacAulay expects the rest to be done by Dec. 1. Article content“Everything goes perfectly, we shouldn’t skip a beat,” she said, meaning the transfer wouldn’t interrupt any curling days at the club. Article content“The new plant will sustain the club for a significant time and minimize the cost of repairs,” she said. “The other thing we have is a roof full of solar panels; we were able to take advantage of a grant, and the return on that investment will be soon. Article content“We’re a not-for-profit, member-owned, so there is a lot of pressure on membership; dues and fees to pay the bills, no one is there to bail us out. So, we’re trying to ensure we can stay sustainable.”
Celebrate 150 years with the Truro Curling Club
